A surcharge, not a different Part B
Most people pay the standard Part B premium ($202.90 in 2026). If modified adjusted gross income from two years earlier is above the threshold, Social Security adds IRMAA to Part B and a separate IRMAA to Part D. The Part D amount is added to whatever drug plan you have — it is not the plan’s own premium.
Two-year lookback
2026 IRMAA is based on 2024 MAGI and tax filing status. Brackets differ for single, joint, and married-filing-separately returns. The official amounts are in the CMS 2026 premium fact sheet. Confirm on Medicare.gov or with Social Security.
You can appeal some life changes
If your income dropped because of a qualifying life-changing event (for example retirement or marriage), Social Security has a process to request a new determination. This website cannot file that for you or say you will win.
Educational estimate only
The IRMAA calculator on this site uses public 2026 CMS brackets. It is not a bill. It does not enroll you. A licensed agent can explain how IRMAA fits next to Advantage, Medigap, and Part D — without naming a “best” plan.
Common questions
- Does IRMAA mean I have a Medicare Advantage plan?
- No. IRMAA is an income-related extra amount on Part B and Part D. It can apply whether you have Original Medicare or Advantage.
- Who sends the IRMAA notice?
- Social Security. Confirm amounts with SSA and Medicare.gov, not this website.
My Medicare Checkup
Answer a few questions about your ZIP code, what matters about cost and doctors, and where you get care. The summary shows the questions those answers raise. Confirm each one with the office, the plan, or Medicare.gov. A listing in a directory, or the name of a plan, does not show whether a doctor is in the network, whether a prescription is covered, or what you would pay this year.
Start My Medicare CheckupYou will get a summary of the questions to verify. You can also talk it through with Alan.
For the other pages on this topic, open the Lowering Medicare costs guide.
2026 figures
IRMAA (higher-income premium)
See 2026 Part B and Part D IRMAA using 2024 MAGI brackets from CMS.